Purdon fuming over Jewels relegation

Mark Purdon - was furious with judicial officials after Arya relegated to 9th in Jewels

"I gave my explanation to them and it was backed up by the other evidence which showed that the movement came from elsewhere. They ignored all that and we were relegated. I told the committee I considered it an incompetent decision and told the chairman (Brian Scott) I would request he not chair a hearing involving me again. It was simply incompetence"

That is what champion trainer-driver Mark Purdon had to say after Arya was disqualified from second in the 2YO Ruby division of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on Saturday.

Strong words from a racing man who knows how to handle a setback and rarely speaks out in such strong terms.

Stewards Report

Race 2
NEW ZEALAND HOME LOANS 2YO RUBY MOBILE TROT
PRIMZ LUCK and THIS SKY ROX broke racing into the first bend.
SIR HENRY CASTLETON broke leaving the 900 metres.
SPEEDING SPUR broke when racing between YAGUNNAKISSMEORNOT and ARYA inside the 400 metres.
SUNNY RUBY gave ground rounding the final bend placing YAGUNNAKISSMEORNOT at a disadvantage momentarily.
A protest was lodged against the 4th placing of YAGUNNAKISSMEORNOT (M McKendry) by horseman J Dickie representing the connections of the 9th placed SPEEDING SPUR in that it was alleged that YAGUNNAKISSMEORNOT shifted ground outwards inside the 400 metres checking SPEEDING SPUR into a gallop. The JCA dismissed this protest.
Stewards lodged a protest against the 2nd placing of ARYA (M Purdon) alleging that this horse hung inwards inside the 400 metres checking SPEEDING SPUR (J Dickie) into a gallop. The JCA upheld the protest and relegated ARYA to 9th placing behind SPEEDING SPUR.